By Tridivesh Singh Maini

Kerala Floods: Charting New Grounds for Harmony?

The close links between the South Indian
state of Kerala (also referred to in India as “God’s own country”) and the GCC
(Gulf Cooperation Council) region are well known. A large percentage of the
total of 9 million Indian
migrants in the GCC countries actually hail from Kerala, and a
significant percentage of the total
remittances (in 2017 estimated at around USD 69 Billion) which India
receives come from Malayalis working in the GCC countries, especially the UAE.
The UAE and the government of Kerala have also begun to work closely, with the
latter emerging as a key tourist destination in recent years for citizens of
GCC countries.

During the recent floods
in Kerala, which caused immense devastation (casualties are reported
at over 237, while floods have also resulted in displacement of 1.4 million
people), a number of countries offered assistance, but two
GCC countries, the UAE and Qatar, were the fastest to react.

In a tweet, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
the ruler of Dubai and the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE),
highlighted the contribution of immigrants from Kerala to UAE’s economic growth
and prosperity and also stated that that UAE has a special duty towards Kerala:
“The people of Kerala have always been and are still part of our success story
in the UAE. We have a special responsibility to help and support those
affected, especially during this holy and blessed days (Eid Ul Adha).” Significantly,
the UAE also offered aid to the tune of a whopping INR 7 billion. Abu Dhabi
Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Sheikh Mohammad Bin Syed Al Nahyan
communicated this to Indian PM Narendra Modi. Modi had thanked the UAE for its
offer of assistance. Qatar was also willing to offer relief assistance, to the
tune of USD 5 million for the victims of the Kerala floods.

India initially declined the offer, given
that since the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 (a tsunami which caused damage to
Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands), New Delhi has refused external aid
for an external calamity, since it wants to send the clear message that it can
handle calamities. Then PM Dr
Manmohan Singh stated that India can deal with the situation, and if
it needed assistance, it would take it. Kerala’s Finance Minister, Dr.
Thomas Isaac, however categorically stated that the National
Disaster Management Plan Chapter 9 on international cooperation permits aid
during a time of calamity such as the Kerala floods.

After facing scathing criticism from
certain quarters (especially from the Kerala state government) for declining
external financial aid, it was reported that the Central Government was willing
to consider foreign aid for the state, provided the existing rules and
regulations are adhered to. While New Delhi clarified that relief and
rehabilitation efforts would be carried out through “domestic efforts,” it did
say that it welcomed contributions from the Indian diaspora and overseas foundations
to the Indian Prime Minister’s relief fund, as well as to the Kerala’s Chief
Minister’s fund. KJ Alphons, a Minister in the Central Government who hails
from Kerala, however stated that he would urge the government to be open to
foreign aid (and also dubbed New Delhi’s rejection of foreign aid as a
continuation of the previous government’s policy) given the intense damage
caused by the recent floods.

The role played by the Pakistani
diaspora too has sent a very positive message and clearly reiterates the point
that the Indian and Pakistani diaspora communities can play a positive role in
altering the narrative of conflict which currently dominates.

Apart from the UAE government, certain
prominent Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and groups have also risen to the
occasion in providing
assistance. Prominent businessmen such as Dr. K. P. Hussain, the
chairman of the Fathima Healthcare Group, and groups like Al Ansari Exchange have
donated generously to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and for medical relief
aid. Amongst the expatriate organizations which have been at the forefront are
the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) and the Kerala Social Centre (KSC),
whose relief provided includes financial as well as materials aid like
blankets.

Like the Indian diaspora, there is also a
sizeable Pakistani diaspora community in the GCC countries, especially in the
UAE. Pakistani and Indian immigrants get along very well in the GCC countries
and work together. While the Pakistan Dubai Association sent clothes as relief
to Kerala, Pakistani workers in Dubai donated one day’s wages. Such goodwill
gestures by Pakistanis in the GCC countries should be welcomed and
are a clear indicator of the goodwill between both communities overseas. Here
it would be pertinent to point out that a number of Pakistanis including PM
Imran Khan have offered assistance. Khan, who has made some affirmative
statements in the context of India-Pakistan ties, on August 23, 2018 tweeted that
Pakistan was willing to offer any humanitarian assistance to the state. The
former cricketer Shahid Afridi as well as the head of the Pakistan Cricket
League (PCL) have also expressed their sympathies, with the head of the PCL
also offering assistance.

Diaspora communities are often used for
promoting their home countries interests, and India and Pakistan are no
exceptions. India has been reaching out proactively to its diaspora, especially
in the aftermath of the economic reforms of 1991. The aim of reaching out to
the diaspora has not been restricted to economic goals, but also to seek
assistance in pushing ahead India’s political interests. Successive Pakistani
governments have also reached out pro-actively to the Pakistani diaspora. Many
Pakistani expats have held important positions, former PM Shaukat Aziz being
one such example. During his first few speeches, newly-elected PM Imran Khan
has repeatedly reached out to the diaspora, and sought their assistance in helping
Pakistan deal with its economic woes. More such efforts should be made to
involve the diaspora communities in peace making in South Asia, and advice from
overseas intellectuals and professionals should be sought for improving ties
between both countries. While some scholars from both India and Pakistan have
been working earnestly along with NGOs in Europe and the US to improve the
political and economic climate in South Asia, there is a need for the
governments to involve the South Asian diasporas in a more organized and
structured manner.

In conclusion, the assistance provided by
Kerala’s expatriates (both individuals and groups) as well as the willingness
of the GCC countries to offer aid underscores two points. First, the commitment
of expatriates to their state during a time of crisis is commendable. Second,
the role which they have played in cementing ties with the GCC countries, which
are today significant from an economic and strategic viewpoint, is clearly
evident. Credit should also be given to the Kerala government for its efficient
handling of the floods as well as coordination with diaspora groups.

The role played by the Pakistani diaspora
too has sent a very positive message and clearly reiterates the point that the
Indian and Pakistani diaspora communities can play a positive role in altering
the narrative of conflict which currently dominates. Both governments should
seek to effectively utilize their respective diasporas to improve ties. There
is always an opportunity in an adversity, and the unfortunate floods of Kerala
have clearly reiterated that during times of crisis, South Asians are ready to
bury their differences.